Positional camera and GPS data interchange device

ABSTRACT

A location tagged data provision and display system. A personal communication device (PCD) with electromagnetic communication capability has a GPS receiver and a display. The PCD requests maps and location tagged data from data providers and other for display on the PCD. The data providers respond to requests by using searching and sorting schemes to interrogate data bases and then automatically transmitting data responsive to the requests to the requesting PCD.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/785,315, filed May 21, 2010, entitled“POSITIONAL CAMERA AND GPS DATA INTERCHANGE DEVICE,” which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/373,497, filed Feb.24, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,748,021, which is a divisional applicationof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/425,320, filed Oct. 21, 1999, nowU.S. Pat. No. 6,525,768, which claims the benefit of the filing date ofU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/105,050, filed Oct. 21, 1998.The disclosure of each of these related applications is herebyincorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to a system for communicating dataincluding global-positioning-encoded information. In particular, thepresent invention relates specifically to a device and system forcommunicating and retrieving position and position related data.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Availability of up-to-date information is more important today than everbefore and this will continue to be true for the foreseeable future.People want to be well informed, so much so that they travel withcellular phones, beepers, and even portable hand-held Global PositioningSystem (GPS) satellite receivers.

GPS capable devices generally have a GPS receiver for receivingsatellite signals from the GPS satellite network that allow fordetermination of the device's position. Such devices allow for preciselylocating the device in terms of latitude and longitude using the GPSreceiver. Some devices have map data stored in memory and a display forshowing the device position with reference to the map data. Otherdevices have no underlying map data base for reference. Rather, theyshow only the geographic coordinates of the device's location. Thesecoordinates may be referred to as waypoints. Most GPS receiver devicescan store many waypoints. Some GPS receiver devices can plot and displaya trail of waypoints and store this trail for future retrieval.Sophisticated devices may compute the device's heading, speed, and otherinformation based on comparisons with previous GPS determined positions.

GPS receiver devices with map display capability may store the mapinformation on computer diskettes, CD-ROM's, or other computer memorystorage devices. The device location may then be displayed on a displayterminal with reference to a map stored in the computer memory storagedevice. The available quantity of map data, however, can overwhelm thememory capability of easily portable computer devices. This problem isexacerbated when additional information is included and linked with themap data. In addition, information is more valuable when it is up todate and available at the time of consumption, and such devices do notincorporate a means for updating the stored information. By way ofexample, a CD ROM could never maintain an up-to-date list of every5-star restaurant.

Some GPS receiver devices have the ability to communicate over atelecommunications network. These devices do not provide for automaticor semi-automatic dynamic exchange of on-line position dependent orrelated information. In addition, these devices cannot communicate withthird parties in the absence of a uniform data format standard. Forexample, a cellular-phone-based system comprising GPS locationinformation working in conjunction with proprietary Public SafetyAnswering Point (PSAP) telephone equipment is known. The device providespersonal and medical information on an emergency basis to the properauthorities. Such a device does not allow third parties to communicate,tag, interrogate, limit, designate, modify or share this informationamongst themselves for any other use.

To that end, the ability to receive digital data structures with GPSencoding, and storing this information for eventual use or broadcast tothird parties, would be valuable. Today, the U.S. and several othercountries have independent publishers busily GPS mapping everything downto the most minute detail. Most of these data bases are available on CDROM storage. The problem is that no one data base can contain enoughinformation to fulfill the unique requests of every particular and pickyconsumer. The costs associated with providing and maintaining such alarge data base would be overwhelming and over-burdening. Additionally,most consumers do not like reading or compiling vast data bases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The system of the present invention utilizes Personal CommunicationsDevices (PCDs), and traditional computer systems with GPS engines,routers, and other application programs to request, process, andtransmit tagged GPS encoded information. The system, with relatedapplications, can be accessed by device users, traditional computerusers, web-site users (cyberspace), data publishers, public or privateenterprises or individuals, by means of application programs. The taggedGPS encoded data files can be stored or sent via communication linksusing AM, FM, spread spectrum, microwave, laser or light beam in free orfiber optic, line-of-sight, reflected, satellite, secure or non-secure,or any type of communications between multiple points that theapplication or the state-of-the-art may allow. The system is a waypointtag and interrogation system using various protocols to answer requestsand provide GPS-encoded information. The applications use GPS devices,engines, routing and encoding for access to specificrequester-designated data retrieval requests. The applications accessfax machines, beepers, telephones and other communication linkeddevices. The system accesses computer and storage systems with variousapplications in order to provide this information from a plurality ofproviders. The system thereby eliminates or reduces the need for largestorage devices and interchangeable storage modules.

One embodiment of the present invention includes a requesting device, adata provider (hardware and software), a user, tagger applications orGPS engine and router system with protocols for encoding, tagging,modifying, interrogating, arranging, limiting, displaying, sorting,mapping, segregating, sending, receiving and updating waypoint and thewaypoints connected data structures with digital or graphic maps,digital voice files, linked digital web files properly encoded andtagged by way of specific devices, or by traditional computer andstorage systems.

The application programs contain protocols for users, providers,taggers, list maintenance organizations, and others, and will use adynamic identification system from applications containing GPS searchengines, route planners, compilers, designators, publishers, and othersto permit communication of information.

The PCD is a cellular-phone-sized electronic device, combining thecapabilities of a GPS receiver, transceiver, digital beeper, cell phoneand projection system into one compact unit. The PCD is capable ofuploading emergency information (medical, police alert, etc.) via aone-push button that phones 911 or a security monitoring center similarto those used for house alarms. The alert continues to be broadcastuntil a response is made.

The PCD is also capable of downloading information via a request to adata provider, similar to a request for directory information from aphone company or other service. In this mode the PCD acts similar tocalling a phone operator for information. However, in this instance, nohuman contact is required. The caller requests specific information(location of gas stations, names of restaurants, local banks, etc.) viaa voice command (“Download e.g., Wells Fargo Banks”) or via digitalcommands using a keypad or other input device and the requestedinformation is automatically downloaded to and stored in the memory ofthe user's PCD. This information can be accessed off-line via the screenon the PCD. It is all done digitally, eliminating having to write downinformation such as name, address, location map, GPS latitude andlongitude encoding, direction and distance to location, hours ofoperation, or other items of information. The PCD can be plugged into anautomobile input port or similar device, if available, and providedistances and directions to locations of interest. Similar informationof a condensed nature can also be provided to the user via the screen ofthe PCD. The user is not required to be a subscriber to some proprietarysystem, instead the PCD can use any means to access any data base fromany potential provider, whether GPS encoded or not.

In some areas the information would be sent and received by way of aLocal Area Broadcast via radio frequency signals to each home, car orPCD within a reception area In such an embodiment, users are able toaccess companies listed on the broadcast network from data providers ofproperly tagged, yellow page-type information or are provided with GPSencoded information and maps similar to web page listings. This would beadvantageous to small towns with little information available fortravelers, but which have an interest in providing up-to-date traffic,weather and travel advisories to benefit the local community andbusinesses. Such a system does not require a master, home or base unit.The providers of data base or advertising information could be a singledata provider and could also be individual users with applicationprograms that allow provision of such data. The application programsprovide a means for sending and receiving data, GPS encoded data andgraphics encoded data. The application programs can also act as auniversal coder/decoder to other proprietary GPS data bases.

The present invention allows users to request detailed informationrelating to their present location as well as information related todistant locales. Some of the advantages provided by the inventioninclude:

-   -   1. Information can be received digitally by a PCD user from any        system.    -   2. Multiple requests can be retained, stored or resent.    -   3. In-depth dynamic data retrievals are possible and could be        viewed later.    -   4. GPS tagging and encoding with latitude and longitude        information along with encoded maps for navigation.    -   5. Small non-contiguous map segments are possible.    -   6. On-line storage of data personal and other information, along        with GPS encoded maps on some data files.    -   7. Display menus, interfaces and applications can be viewed on        heads-up display systems in automobiles, homes, businesses and        various commercial applications.    -   8. Allows for portable Internet access.    -   9. Provides a means for an Internet based telephone directory        access tagged and linked to the originating area code and phone        numbers.

Remote and distant third parties could communicate with each other and,by sending and receiving GPS encoded data, can meet or find each otherin remote locations. Maps and other digital data may betransmitted/received by fax, beeper (receive only), computer, phone andradio.

The system also utilizes a system of non-subscribers communicating toeach other in a similar fashion, without the use of base stations. Inaddition, the non-subscribers could send personal data bases with mapsincluded, GPS information, and other information of non-related data orgraphics from publishers of any such data base. In this embodiment thedevice would act as a transceiver, sending and receiving dynamic movingwaypoint information in digital formats, including maps of various sizesand embodiments.

The PCD can display a singular or a plurality of images and displays,project an image on to a screen or viewing surface, store or communicatedata (depicted as a line, graphic, icon, etc.) to and/or receivelatitude and longitude data from third parties. Additionally, the devicecan send/receive latitude- and longitude-encoded maps and other datato/from a third party, send/receive standard or non-standard phone andfax communications (AM, FM, spread spectrum, microwave, laser or lightbeam in free or fiber optic, line of sight, reflected, satellite, secureor non-secure, or any type of communications between two points that theapplication or state-of-the-art may allow), perform computer functionsfrom existing application software and operating systems, receivestandard or non-standard beeper messages, interface with a conventionalcomputer and provide an interface to a heads-up display, an externalviewing device or any projection system.

An embodiment of this invention incorporates a GPS transceiver with adesignated application used with a communication system or network.Several users can communicate and send data, maps and graphic files withor without GPS encoding. By example, a user could request from sensing,weather, or condition reporting devices details concerning remotelocations. These sensing, weather, and condition reporting devices mayalso be accessible over cable land lines or other communication media.

In one embodiment of the device and tagging system information iscommunicated from locations, homes, businesses, commercial designations,government resources, public and private areas, cyberspace and othercommunication systems. Various designated locations, or a plurality andmultiplicity of locations, or data structures, are assigned aswaypoints. These waypoints could be tagged, or interrogated from anapplication program which describes, encodes, reports, modifies andcommunicates this encoded information and data from any location. Inaddition, the transmitting device may report a plurality andmultiplicity of locations or events unrelated to either the location ofeither the transmitting or receiving device. Indeed, the device couldcommunicate to many unlinked, unreported or unconnected waypoints andsend active dynamic information to the requester. Cyberspace providersmay enter the network web system, use applications for devicecommunications and participate in the exchange of information usingdesignated GPS engines and applications. By way of example, theinvention can provide a requester with dynamic location information, orother data to a location anywhere in the U.S. This location informationmay be used to locate individuals in determining whether to authorizecredit requests, whether PCD or item containing a PCD, such as anautomobile, is moved, or in routing electronic communications.

The system is similar to the world wide web, except the web does not useGPS engines, applications, tagging systems, etc. By way of example, onedifference is that the invention uses GPS devices, engines, applicationsand encoding for access to specific requester designated data retrievaltechniques. Indeed, the invention provides a means to locate specificindividuals both physically and in terms of an electronically accessiblelocation.

Another advantage the invention provides is a means to display this typeof information and a means to store data unrelated to any interrogationby the PCD device. Methods of display include multiple of displaysincluding, by example, overhead displays, heads-up displays, projectionsystems, LCD displays, computer displays or any past or future designeddisplays whether connected directly or by some electromagnetic means.The preferred embodiment of the device could include any means ofdisplay or combinations thereof. In addition, the device could includemany control devices such as remote control, remote mouse type devicesand any combination of keyboards.

Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings showing an illustrative embodiment of theinvention in which like parts are designated by like reference numeralsthroughout.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a GPS transceiver system and communication linksincorporating the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a PCD of the present inventionshowing a layout of controls and an initialization screen;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the PCD of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the PCD of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4A shows a screen menu hierarchy of the PCD of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 A illustrates a flow chart depicting the program sequence for theentry of a personal identification number (PIN) and personal data intothe PCD of FIG. 2

FIG. 5B illustrates a flow chart depicting the program sequence for theuser to select a mode of operation using the PCD of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5C illustrates a flow chart depicting the program sequence for theuser to control the GPS mode of the PCD of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5D illustrates a flow chart depicting the program sequence for theuser to control the phone mode of the PCD of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5E illustrates a flow chart depicting the program sequence for theuser to control the computer mode of the PCD of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5F illustrates a flow chart depicting the program sequence for theuser to control the radio mode of the PCD of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 illustrates the Main Menu page of the PCD of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 illustrates the select GPS Function page of the PCD of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 illustrates the GPS: Location page of the PCD of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 illustrates the GPS: Show Me page of the PCD of FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 illustrates the GPS: Get Map page of the PCD of FIG. 2;

FIG. 11 illustrates the GPS: Third Party page of the PCD of FIG. 2,

FIG. 12 illustrates the FAX page of the PCD of FIG. 2;

FIG. 13 illustrates the Beeper page of the PCD of FIG. 2;

FIG. 14 illustrates the Phone page of the PCD of FIG. 2;

FIG. 15 illustrates an Information Request page of the PCD of FIG. 2;

FIG. 16 illustrates the Computer page of the PCD of FIG. 2;

FIG. 17 illustrates the Radio page of the PCD of FIG. 2;

FIG. 18 illustrates the Receive Queue page of the PCD of FIG. 2,

FIG. 19 illustrates the Send Queue page of the PCD of FIG. 2;

FIG. 20 illustrates a typical listing downloaded from a data provider;

FIG. 21 illustrates a typical GPS encoded map downloaded from a dataprovider;

FIG. 22 illustrates a typical GPS encoded map with waypoints locatingrestaurants within a specified radius;

FIG. 23A illustrates an exemplary data provider;

FIG. 23B illustrates an exemplary configuration of a non-PCD computerutilizing a modified application module;

FIG. 24 illustrates a software module configuration of a requester;

FIG. 25 illustrates a software module configuration of a provider;

FIG. 26 illustrates a software module configuration of the applicationmodule;

FIG. 27 illustrates a software module configuration of the taggingsystem;

FIG. 28 illustrates a software module configuration of the GPS engine;

FIG. 29 illustrates a software module configuration of the universaltranslator;

FIG. 30 illustrates a typical configuration of the service provider;

FIG. 31 illustrates a possible configuration of the digital web TV;

FIG. 32 illustrates the Weather Map Request page of the PCD of FIG. 2;

FIG. 33 illustrates a weather reporting device;

FIG. 34 illustrates a block diagram of the condition reporting device ofthe present invention;

FIG. 35 illustrates several condition reporting devices of FIG. 34deployed along an arterial route;

FIG. 36 illustrates a block diagram of a cable television distributionsystem for condition reporting devices of the present invention;

FIG. 37 illustrates a process for using route information to obtaininformation concerning the availability of condition reporting devices;

FIG. 38 illustrates a PCD displaying a trail plot with conditionreporting device locations;

FIG. 39 illustrates a process of a manual method of obtaining conditionreporting device information;

FIG. 40 illustrates a PCD display showing information received from acondition reporting device,

FIG. 41 illustrates a process of the automatic handoff method forobtaining condition reporting device information;

FIG. 42 illustrates a process of the automatic sequence method forobtaining condition reporting device information;

FIG. 43 illustrates a display of a PCD display showing a user's routecomprised of multiple segments;

FIG. 44 illustrates a block diagram of a local area transmission systemfor providing multimedia information,

FIG. 45 illustrates a process of obtaining cell site based information;

FIG. 46 illustrates a process of credit authorization;

FIG. 47 illustrates a process of determining alternative route traveltimes.

FIG. 48A-H illustrate an alternate embodiment of a PCD of the presentinvention; and

FIGS. 49A-G illustrate the alternate embodiment of a PCD of FIGS. 48A-H.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a system capable of communicating using the electromagneticenergy spectrum, traditional computer networks, cellular phone networks,public telephone networks, and satellite system networks. The majorcomponents of the system comprises personal communication devices (PCDs)20 and one or more of the following: a cellular phone network 60, astandard phone line network 70, an electromagnetic energy spectrumnetwork 80 and/or a computer network 90. The PCD receives signals from aGPS satellite system 10.

FIG. 2 illustrates a PCD of the present invention. The PCD has a display28 a. The display may be of a LCD type or other types known in the art.Incorporated with the display is a touch screen input device 28 b, whichare known in the art. The PCD also has a alphanumeric key pad 26, whichincludes many of the standard keys generally found on computerkeyboards. The location of the keys, and the selection of the charactersused on a single key, may be varied as desired. The PCD also hasspecialized keys 27 a-g, n related to GPS, telecommunications, and otherfunctions. Located on one side of the PCD are a number of input andoutput ports. In the embodiment shown, these ports include a modemoutput port 29 g, a generalized communication port 29 f, a power port 35b, an infrared port 29 e, and a heads-up display interface port 25 k.The location of these ports are shown for descriptive purposes only, thespecific location of these ports on the PCD is not critical. The powerport allows the PCD to be operated from an external power source (notshown). The communication port allows the PCD to be connected toprinters, local computer networks, and the like.

FIG. 3 shows a rear view of the PCD of FIG. 2. The rear of the PCDcontains a microphone 34 towards one edge of the rear of the PCD and aspeaker 33 towards the opposing edge. The layout of the microphone andthe speaker is similar to that found in portable cellular telephones. Anantenna 32 extends from the edge near the speaker to allow forcommunication in a cellular telephone network or via otherelectromagnetic spectrum means. The PCD contains a battery 38 a. Thebattery allows for mobile operation of the PCD and is the selected powersource if an external power source is not available through the powerport. The PCD's operation is governed by a processor 21. A variety ofmicroprocessors may be used, with the selection of such determined byprocessing power, power utilization, and other factors and requirements.The PCD has a slot 23 for a PCMCIA card, CD-ROM, or other computeraccessory. The PCD is powered on when the power button 31 (shown in FIG.2) is depressed. In the embodiment shown, at initial device power on,the processor causes the PCD to display the initialization screen 100(shown in FIG. 2).

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the PCD. Control and logic functions areperformed by the processor 21. Internal data storage 22, which isprovided by conventional memory such as RAM or ROM or variationsthereof, may be accessed by the processor. The processor may also accessremovable data storage devices 23 such as a hard disk installed via thePCMCIA slot, a CD-ROM type device or other similar removable datastorage devices. The processor is connected by a data bus 24 to a numberof devices. These include the alphanumeric key pad and other specialpurpose keys, the touch screen, and other hard wired input devices. Theheads-up display output port and the display screen are also connectedvia the data bus to the processor, it being recognized that a number ofdisplay related devices such as VGA cards, chips, and the like are alsorequired to implement the display device functions and the otherpreviously mentioned functions. The microprocessor may also access orcontrol communications with telephone networks, either hardwired orcellular, radio transmissions, infra-red transmissions, orcommunications with other computer devices.

All known verbal commands from GPS systems can be implemented andattachment or inclusion of voice activation for map instructionsrelative to location, GPS and street designations, including headingdescriptions, distance, and arrival time estimates can be included.

FIG. 24 illustrates a block diagram of the PCD's software components. Anapplication module or program 51 interfaces with the PCD's operatingsystem 241. The operating system may be DOS, UNIX, Windows 95, WindowsNT, O/S2 Apple McIntosh, Next Computer, or other operating systems,including operating systems well suited to devices with constrainedmemory or other limitations due to the small physical size of the PCD.The operating system additionally interfaces with other applicationprograms 242 that provide standard file edit and other functionstypically found in personal computers. The operating system, or otherapplication programs interfacing with the operating system, provide formaintenance of data bases 245 used by the PCD. The application moduleincludes a GPS engine 53 providing GPS functions, including interfacingwith the GPS receiver 243 (shown in FIG. 4). A query menu program 54 ofthe application module controls the graphical user interface and relatedfunctions for the device. Included in the application module is auniversal converter 55.

As illustrated in FIG. 29, the universal converter enables the PCD toread in data provided by third parties 291 a, b and convert or filtersuch data to a format useable by the PCD. The universal converter firstinspects the received data to determine if the data is in a known formatwhich can be converted to the format used by the PCD. If the format isnot known by the device, the universal converter attempts to extract anyASCII data or format the data as a bit map as appropriate.

As illustrated in FIG. 26, the application module further includesprograms to implement data formatting and communication protocols usingheader protocols 271, layer protocols 272, and data provider protocols273. The application module also includes a tagging system interfaceprogram 274. The elements of the tagging system are illustrated in FIG.27. The purpose of the tagging system is to provide a common universaldata structure for requests and responding to requests. Varioustechniques common in the GEO coding industry, using U.S. Census bureaudata and tiger files with certain modifications, can establishparameters for software suppliers to use latitude and longitude encodingas coordinate pairs, postal code encoding and street centering encoding,all for the benefit of accuracy in designating certain files as“tagged”. The tagging system provides the ability to apply and stripheader and layer information to and from data files.

FIG. 4A shows the top level page menu display hierarchy of the PCD. Atinitial power on the initialization page 25 a (shown in FIG. 2) isdisplayed. The initialization page allows for the entry of a personalidentification number and other data. Depressing the home button 27E(shown in FIG. 2) displays the Main Menu page 25 b. A number ofadditional pages are available from the Main Menu page. These includethe GPS 25 c, Fax 25 d, Beeper 25 e, Phone 25 f, Computer 25 g, Radio 25h, Send Queue 25 i, and Receive Queue 25 j pages.

FIG. 5A lists a sequence for the operator of the PCD to answer certainquestions, provide information for future access regarding handling ofemergency events and handling of same by civil authorities or privateindividuals empowered to act on behalf of the operator. Access is deniedor provided based upon user codes. The entry of a user code may allowfor limited to full access of the data stored in the device and usage ofsame with different codes providing different levels of access andusage. Similar information and sequencing is provided by the applicationmodules and operating system for medical and other information in theevent of emergencies. In one embodiment of the preferences screen (notshown) information can be displayed in a specified manner, eventsrecorded and equipment options listed. Specific usage of the device andfurnished software would be recalled by each user having access and usercodes to operate the PCD, each user having unique individual screens andsetups based on that user's preferences. The initial setup of screenpreferences and other user configuration details are well known in theart.

Selecting PIN 111 from the Main Menu page displays a screen 113prompting the user to input a personal identification number. Using analphanumeric key pad 26, the user inputs a personal identificationnumber and presses ENTER 27 g. The processor analyzes the enteredpersonal identification number and determines if the number is valid 115FIG. If the entered personal identification number is valid theprocessor enables PERSONAL 121, MEDICAL 131, PREFERENCES 141 touchpoints on the display screen. These touchpoints, and touchpoints laterreferred to, are selectable either by pressing the display screen at thetouchpoint location or by selecting the underlying display item with thecursor. If the PCD already contains personal, medical and preferencedata, the HOME button 27 e is enabled. If the personal identificationnumber is not valid, the processor 21 will increase the device securitylevel 119. This may include, but is not limited to, disabling the PCDoperation for a specified time. Selecting PERSONAL 121, MEDICAL 131 orPREFERENCES 141 touchpoints displays the corresponding pages 123, 133,or 143. These pages request specific data, and allow the user to inputdata using alphanumeric key pad 26. Completion of data entry isindicated by pressing the ENTER button 27 g.

In addition, the Initialization page 100 FIG. 2, as well as all otherpages, displays the time and the date 103, touch points for QUE IN 550and OUT 600 (described later in this document) and limited GPSinformation 107. The limited GPS information comprises of the user'slocation (latitude and longitude), an arrow pointing to north and anarrow indicating direction of device travel.

When enabled, pressing the HOME button 27 e (FIG. 2) signals theprocessor to display the Main Menu page 150 FIG. 5B. As shown in FIG. 6,the Main Menu page allows the operator to use the touch screen to selectthe GPS 200, FAX 300, BEEPER 350, PHONE 400, COMPUTER 450, RADIO 500,RECEIVE QUE 550 and SEND QUE 600 touchpoints. The heading anddirectional information are displayed in real time and are dynamic.Pressing the FAX touchpoint causes the processor to display a Fax page(shown in FIG. 12) which lists received facsimile messages 301. The Faxpage includes display interfaces appropriate for the sending andreceiving of facsimile communications through the FAX Phone Modem port29 g, and such displays and functions are well known in the art.Pressing the BEEPER touchpoint causes the processor to display a Beeperpage (shown in FIG. 13). The Beeper page displays received beepermessages 351 and allows for the deletion of such messages from thedisplay and internal memory storage. Also, a sub-menu portion of thedisplay 151 is reserved for sub-menus and directories.

Pressing GPS 200 causes the processor 21 to display a GPS Function page201, which is illustrated in FIG. 7. The GPS page provides for selectionof a GPS mode through touch points in the sub-menu portion of thedisplay. The available modes are location 210, show me 230, get map 250and third party 270 modes. The display returns to the GPS Function pagewhen the PREVIOUS button 27 i (shown in FIG. 2) is pressed. The displayhierarchy for the GPS functions is illustrated in FIG. 5C. The Location,Show Me, Get Map, and Third Party pages descend from the GPS Menu page.The Location page comprises the current map, the location on the map ofthe device, and a plot of the trail of the device on the map. Thesub-menu portion of the display provides for additional selection ofstill further pages. These pages include a Menu page, a Mode page, aWaypoint page, and a Preferences page.

The Location page is illustrated in FIG. 8. The Location page includes aGPS map 219 (latitude and longitude encoded coordinate pairs). Thesample page shown is an encoded map showing the device position, plottrail and the encoded map location of the selected waypoint. The mapdisplayed could be from on-board memory or sent by other third partiesby way of communication links to the PCD. When map data files areencoded with location information, the location information can bereferred to as waypoints. These tagged waypoints, with links to otherdata structures, can then be sent to users via an application to variouscommunication systems. Closed-loop or proprietary GPS receivers cansend/receive data to/from other third parties (Brand X, Brand Y) viatheir own proprietary format using an application system as a universalconverter. The location information is dynamic and updated periodicallyby the PCD's communication system via link-up with GPS-based satellites.The Location page indicates the PCD position 801, indicated by a walkingperson, as being located on a highway 810. A waypoint 802 is along thehighway en route to the desired destination address 803 located on alocal street 804 which intersects the highway. A first point of interest807 is also displayed as being along the highway, as is a second pointof interest 805 along a second local road intersecting the highway. Thelimited GPS information, providing location, heading and north, is alsodisplayed. The illustrated Location page display shows only one possiblecombination of a map layout. Other display sequences such as North up,course up, user at top of screen, user in middle, and other displaysequences are possible. The dynamic nature of the PCD allows the PCD todisplay GPS encoded maps as the PCD progresses dynamically with relationto the maps.

Using interpolation techniques, performing spatial query analysis, andestablishing layers for best display scale for any given map recordallows the device to provide the user extended capability not possessedby traditional GPS devices. Applying various protocols and interpolationtechniques allow files to be arranged geographically by distance from adesignated point (usually the requesters latitude and longitude as thestarting point, but other locations may also be used). The maps are alsoarranged in layers, menus, limited, listed, showed, displayed, andsorted.

The Location mode provides typical GPS system functions. The touchpoints MENU 213, MODE 215 and WAYPOINT 217 and PREFERENCES 221 provideaccess to the Menu, Mode, Waypoint, and Preferences pages. These pages,along with various buttons on the alphanumeric key pad 26 FIGS. 2 and 4and special function buttons 27, are used to configure the display tothe user's preference. The preferences page 221 enables selection ofsuch features as voice, maps, scroll, offscreen maps away from cursorand other features. The listing name 219 portion of the Location pagedisplays information pertaining to a waypoint selected through the useof the cursor.

FIG. 9 illustrates the Show Me page accessed from the GPS page. The ShowMe page shows a list of available maps 901 a-i stored on-board, whichincludes maps retrieved from the receive queue area of the PCD memory.The user can load a map into the location or third party pages bypressing the corresponding number key on alphanumeric key pad 26 (shownin FIG. 2) or by scrolling through the list to highlight the appropriatemap and then pressing ENTER button 27 g. Maps may also be removed fromon-board storage using the DELETE button 27 h.

FIG. 10 illustrates the Get Map page accessed from the GPS Menu page.The user of the PCD can request the map by location from PCD memory oran external source. The user may enter a desired map location. If a maplocation is entered, the PCD will only search PCD memory for a map forthe entered location. Maps from an external source are downloaded viaany of the communication links such as the FAX, BEEPER, PHONE or RADIOtouchpoints provided in the sub-menu portion of the display 151.Depending on the user's requirements, several maps could exist showingsimilar map areas with different layers for viewing. By way of example,airport maps with air space requirements, coastal waterway, maps, andinterstate maps, and even hand drawn maps scanned into a computer systemall show different resources within a given geographic area. These maps,when presented on the PCD, could over-saturate the display map detailfor any given map area. Therefore, it is preferred that the actual mapdisplayed be selectable. Maps are retrieved by pressing QUE IN 550,scrolling to highlight the desired map, and pressing ENTER 27 g FIG. 2.

FIG. 11 illustrates the Third Party page accessed from the GPS menupage. The Third Party page provides an interface to communications witha third party through touch points in the sub-menu display 151. In thedisplay shown, a user can receive a third party's data and GPS encodedmap for viewing on the device or save it for future usage. The user canalso dynamically track the third party by periodically having the thirdparty send updates via normal communication links. The third partylocation can be displayed on maps dynamically sent by map publishers,maps already on-board (furnished at some earlier date), or on maps sentby the third party. The PCD plots and interpolates the GPS data sent bythe third party and places an icon 951 (GPS latitude and latitudecoordinate pair) on the displayed map using spatial query analysistechniques performed by an application module. The information receivedfrom the third party may be other than maps or GPS encoded information,but may be information of any type. The data is received from the thirdparty using phone 400 and radio communication links 500. A PREFERENCEStouch point 274 enables entry of items such as phone numbers forautomatic call back and time interval for automatic transmission ofinformation. If the radio, a satellite phone, or other frequency basedcommunications link is utilized, the PREFERENCES touch point allowsentry of frequencies for use for automatic transmission of information.A split screen displays the user's location on a map on the left side ofdisplay 272 and, after contact with a third party via a communicationlink, the third party's map and location on the right side of display273. If the third party's location is sufficiently close to the user'slocation, or if the user's displayed map covers a sufficiently largearea, both the user's and third party's location can be shown on thesame map without resort to a split screen display.

The Fax page is accessed by pressing the FAX touchpoint on the Main Menupage. FIG. 12 illustrates the Fax page. The sub-menu portion of thedisplay is available for listing previously stored phone numbers. Thesephone numbers are selectable as a facsimile destination. In addition,the user can directly enter the phone number to indicate the facsimiledestination. As with other pages, the PCD continues to dynamicallydisplay the limited GPS information of location, north and heading. ThePCD facsimile function is performed by application software executed bythe processor. Multiple fax locations, time set, send after certaintime, and other traditional functions of fax machines and theirimplementation are well known in the art. The Fax page provides fordisplay of a message (not shown) entered via the alphanumeric key pad 26(shown in FIG. 2) or through selection of messages stored in the sendqueue area of device memory. Messages stored in the queue area of PCDmemory can be selected by scrolling through a directory 305 of all faxmessages stored. To view a stored message the user uses the SCROLLbutton 27 a (shown in FIG. 2) to highlight an entry, and then pressENTER button 27 g. Pressing the SEND button 27 b transmits the selectedor entered facsimile. The user may also view received faxes using thismode by pressing QUE IN 550 FIG. 12, using the SCROLL button 27 a tohighlight the desired message, and pressing the ENTER button 27 g.

The Beeper page is accessed from the Main Menu page. Pressing the BEEPERtouch point on the Main Menu page causes the processor to display theBeeper page. The device contains capabilities consistent with commonpractices of beepers, also known as pagers, such as sending andreceiving messages. These functions and their implementation are wellknown in the art. The PCD is also satellite communications capable.Beeper messages can be received by the PCD without interference to theother device capabilities. Therefore, the user could continue using thetelephone or other features seemingly uninterrupted by the reception ofdigital beeper messages and display of those messages. The Beeper pageprovides a list of beeper messages (not shown) stored in the receivequeue area. Messages stored in the receive queue can be selected byscrolling through listing 353 FIG. 13 of all beeper messages stored. Toview a stored message, the user uses the SCROLL button to highlight adesired message and presses the ENTER button 27 g. Messages are deletedwhen the DELETE button is pressed with at least one message selected.

The Phone page is illustrated in FIG. 14. The Phone page is accessedfrom the Main Menu page. Pressing the PHONE touchpoint on the Main Menupage causes the processor to display the Phone page. The Phone page isalso accessed by pressing the PHONE touchpoint on the Get Map and ThirdParty pages. As with the other pages, the limited GPS data iscontinuously displayed showing PCD location, heading, and north. The PCDcan access several areas of the display even while the PCD is being usedas a telephone. Information provided in the display area 1401 will varydepending upon the page from which the phone page was accessed. ThePhone page provides for selection of a function through touch pointsdisplayed in the sub-menu portion of the display. The selectabletouchpoints are: POLICE 403, MEDICAL 405, DATA PROVIDER 407, DIRECTORY413, and MEMORY 415.

When the POLICE touchpoint is pressed, the PCD places a call toemergency 911. The 911 telephone number is the default, another numbercould instead have been entered for any particular user through thepreferences selection. Once the telephone call is answered, the PCDprovides the information entered using the Preferences function and thedevice location. The user may also establish voice and datacommunications through the microphone 34 and speaker 33 (shown in FIG.3).

The PCD performs equivalent functions when the MEDICAL touchpoint ispressed. As different phone numbers and information can be entered inthe selection of user preferences, however, different phone numbers maybe used and different information may be transmitted.

When the DATA PROVIDER touchpoint is pressed, the processor displays theData Provider Connect page. The Data Provider Connect page provides ameans to specify the type and amount of data to be downloaded from aspecified data provider. The Data Provider Connect page has numerousdata fields which are selected by use of the cursor. Once a field isselected, the user may enter data in that field using the alphanumerickeys. The data fields include data for name, city, state, map area, zipcode, telephone area code, retail category, distance from devicelocation, and maximum number of listings to be provided by the datasupplier. Whether a map only is requested and what particular types ofmaps, such as interstate maps, walking area maps, zip code maps, streetmaps, area code maps, or state maps, are requested are also provided asoptions. Touch points for weather information and traffic reports arealso provided. Once the appropriate data fields and/or type of datarequired is input or selected, pressing the send key transmits the datarequest to the data provider. Details regarding the method oftransmission of the responsive data is automatically sent by the dataprovider to the data provider along with the data request.

The primary data providers may include the public telephone companynetworks but may also include other entities. The data providersmaintain data, including maps, telephone yellow page entries, and otherinformation such as traffic and weather reports. This information ismaintained in a timely manner and is accessible through the use of database methods well known in those in the art. Upon receiving a requestfor data, the data provider determines the nature of the data request,searches the appropriate data base or data bases, and transmits therequested information to the requesting device in the manner specifiedby the requesting device. The user, after the PCD receives the data asrequested, disconnects, goes offline to review the information, deletingsome, saving others, and storing other encoded information on the PCD.The user can now further edit the device's entire data base and decide asequence for navigating to the locations listed in the various menus aswaypoints. Thus users of the PCD can decide to navigate using the GPSfeatures of the PCD and select certain waypoints and the order in whichto proceed. By way of example, but not limited to same, users couldselect gas stations, banks, restaurants, shopping centers in unfamiliarareas, navigate today from one point of beginning and tomorrow continuenavigating from another point of beginning, being assured that thedevice will always know how to get to various locations. Should the userrequire further locations to visit, the PCD is capable of obtaining newnavigational data and adding to the already active route plan withouthaving to completely start over.

Pressing the DIRECTORY touchpoint 413 displays an alphabetical listing(not shown) of phone numbers stored on-board. The user may scrollthrough the listing and select a desired phone number. Pressing MEMORY415, displays an alphabetical listing (not shown) of frequently usedphone numbers. The user may scroll through the listing and select adesired number. Pressing the SEND button causes the device to dial theselected phone number.

FIG. 16 illustrates the Computer page. The Computer page is accessed bypressing the COMPUTER touchpoint 450 (shown in FIG. 6) on the Main Menupage. The Computer page allows the user to operate the device as astandard personal computer utilizing application programs of the typenormally present on personal computers. As examples, the display of FIG.16 provides for touchpoints in the sub-menu portion of the display forcalendar date entry, notes, and organizer application programs. As withthe other pages, the limited GPS information is also displayed.

FIG. 17 illustrates the Radio page. The Radio page is accessed bypressing the RADIO touchpoint 500 on the Main Menu page. The radio modeprovides the user with an interface for selecting the type of radiosignal through touch points displayed in the sub-menu 151 area. Theselectable types are: AM 503, FM 507 and TRANSCEIVER 511. Selecting anytype will display a page (not shown) requesting frequency, volume, andother parameters relating to radio transmission and reception. The AMand FM are standard receivers. The device can thereby tune and listen tobroadcasts that provide data links and receive data files using legal AMor FM radio bands (or any other radio band legal to access and provideradio station information). The device therefore allows users tocommunicate information amongst themselves without having to rely ontelephone technology. This is especially valuable when telephonetechnology is not available.

The Receive Queue page displays stored received messages. The receivedmessages may be displayed by reception type through selection of thetransmission line type listed in the sub-menu portion of the display,the selectable types, through touch points displayed in the sub-menu 151area, are: ALL 553, FAX 555, BEEPER 557, PHONE 559, COMPUTER 561 andRADIO 563. Selecting a type, will sort (by specified type) and display(by date and time) all messages received. By way of example, the radioqueue contains GPS-encoded voice mail or digital files (containinginformation to various sites) provided by private third-party sources.The phone system queue contains previous calls with digital messageslinked to web pages containing voice and video data. The computer whichmay be queued contains personal letters, calendars, notes and the likefrom more traditional sources or user created tagged files for storage.The fax queue contains traditional faxes which may illustrate maps withwaypoints. The beeper mode queue contains received beeper messages(digital and voice).

The Send Queue page is accessed by pressing the SEND QUE touchpoint onthe Main Menu page. The Send Queue page includes similar functions asthe receive queue, except the Send Queue is a staging area for sendingmessages. The Send Queue page displays sent or to-be-sent data and aninterface for selecting the specific type of queue. The selectabletypes, through touch points displayed in the sub-menu portion of thedisplay 151, are: ALL 603, FAX 605, BEEPER 607, PHONE 609, COMPUTER 611and RADIO 613. Selecting a type, will sort (by specified type) anddisplay (by date and time) all messages sent or waiting to be sent.

FIGS. 23 A and B are a system block diagram including a block diagram ofa data provider. A plurality of PCDs 231, 232, 233 communicate with eachother using the aforementioned communication means. The PCDs alsocommunicate with various data base information suppliers includingprivate data base information suppliers, publisher data base informationsuppliers, telephone service data base information suppliers, and a database provider. The data base provider receives digital requests for mapinformation or other data regarding a geographic area. The data providercollects map data and other data and tags the other data to the map dataand maintains the map and location tagged data in a data base. Humanintervention is not required in responding to data requests.

As shown in FIG. 23B, the application module of the device is ported toa computer system not GPS capable, or merely not portable so as to haveno need for a GPS receiver. The application module allows non-PCD basedcomputer users to provide data to the data provider in the correctformat, as well as receive data from devices or the data provider. Thisallows the non-device base computer user to track the location ofdevices and to collect information to be manually entered into atraditional GPS capable device as an aid in future trip planning.

FIG. 20 illustrates a list of GPS encoded data for a restaurant listingof restaurants in a requested area. This list may have been furnished bythird parties or a data provider. The PCD has stored this information indigital format and is displayed on a GEO coded map, GIFF map or anyother map the PCD stored in memory or receives from a third party ordata provider. The information can be arranged by the PCD using criteriaenabling the user unlimited access to the data. If the user chooses tonavigate to these locations singularly or as a group, the GPS engineperforms these functions, allowing a user of the device to accuratelytravel to the desired restaurant. As shown in FIG. 21, the PCD can useany scale of map or combinations and other types of maps as shown. Theuser of the PCD selects certain maps for storage and recalls same whenneeded for navigation. By way of example, the user's device could have alocal Los Angeles street map, an interstate map (as shown in FIG. 21),and a New York city map in device memory. The user could navigate to theairport using the GPS functions and stored Los Angeles map, fly to NewJersey, rent a car and navigate to New York using the interstate mapand, finally, find a specific restaurant in New York City by using thethird map stored in PCD memory.

As shown in FIG. 22, the PCD contains a map with various waypointlocations the user has selected. These waypoints are both standardwaypoints 221 and linked waypoints 222. The waypoints are indicated by amarker on the display. Standard waypoints indicate identifiablelocations of interest. Linked waypoints have additional data associatedwith the waypoint. The additional data may be text data, visual datasuch as a photographic image of the waypoint, or an audio data file.When the marker for the linked waypoint is selected using the touchscreen or other input device, the processor determines if the additionaldata associated with the waypoint is available in the PCD memory. If theadditional data is not available in the PCD memory, the PCDautomatically requests the additional data from a data provider. Oncethe additional data is available, the PCD displays or otherwise makesuse of the additional data.

Using the map of FIG. 22, the user could navigate to a school,restaurant, bank, gas station, government office using the PCD tointerpolate using spatial query techniques to find the best routes toeach location. The PCD can re-collate the list for the most efficientroute using the application and GPS engine modules. Using softwareprogramming techniques and math formulas, persons skilled in the artswill utilize spatial analysis queries and functions to determine bestrouting and “closest to” scenarios. In addition, centroid interpolationfunctions arid match-rate comparison functions used by the GEO codingcommunity will further enhance this application's ability to universallycommunicate with other systems.

FIG. 30 further illustrates a system whereby the user uses a PCD to diala direct access number similar to dialing 411, but all requests arerequested and serviced automatically. Upon connection to the system, theuser makes keyboard requests to the PCD or traditional computer systemusing the application program of the PCD. Upon requests being receivedby the data provider or similar information provider, the provider orsupplier searches the data base for data responsive to the request. Theprovider or supplier can access further data through data links to otherthird party sources and continue to provide all data required by therequester. This system is consistent with the world wide web, linkingdata through hypertext connections and designations. This invention'ssystem converts information requests to data requests, not verbalrequests, as presently being practiced in directory assistance typeservices. This narrow usage of the application module allows convenientaccess to directory assistance that primarily provides data and chunksof information in a short period of time consistent with directoryassistance today.

FIG. 31 shows a web page screen with a data provider icon displayed onthe device. Pressing or otherwise selecting the icon will enable a menufor the requester to specify a data request. Download will be in theform of a compressed digital data file that may include video, sound, orother digitally encoded data.

FIG. 32 illustrates a Weather Map Request page. The Weather Map Requestpage is accessed by pressing the Weather button 27 n (shown in FIG. 2)on the PCD. The Weather Map Request page allows the PCD user to specifythe map location and scale, the map type, whether the selected mapshould be automatically updated at specified intervals, and whether aset of maps should be displayed in a sequential fashion. The PCDdisplays a number of different types of weather maps, includingsatellite images, radar maps, temperature maps, wind chill maps, and anyother type of weather map available. Some weather information is moreperfectly provided by showing a sequence of displays indicating thechange in weather over time. Therefore, the PCD allows the operator tosequentially display a set of maps, thus providing an animated mapdisplay.

FIG. 33 illustrates a weather reporting device. The weather reportingdevice has a power port 334 to provide electrical power to the weatherreporting device. As with the PCD, the weather reporting device may alsobe powered by a battery (not shown). The weather reporting device alsohas a computer port 335, an interface port 333, an antenna port 332, apressure access port 331 a, and a number of auxiliary ports 331 b-e. Thecomputer port provides a communications interface to a standard personalcomputer or the PCD. The interface port provides an interface to systemswith weather detection features, such as aircraft with weather radars orlightning strike finders. The antenna port allows an external antenna tobe connected to the weather reporting device, thereby providing remoteoperation capability. The pressure access port provides external accessfor an internal pressure sensitive device (not shown) for thedetermination of barometric pressure. A plurality of auxiliary inputports 441 b-e provide an interface for connecting the weather reportingdevice to external weather detection sensors such as temperaturesensors, wind sensors, and other weather sensing devices.

In one embodiment the weather reporting device additionally includes acoaxial cable port, a fiber optics port, and a telephone line port. Thecoaxial cable port allows the weather reporting device to be attached toa cable television distribution system. Attachment to the cabledistribution system allows the device to transmit information over thecable distribution system to a central office of a cable televisionnetwork. The fiber optic port similarly allows the weather reportingdevice to be attached to a fiber optic communications network. The fiberoptics communication network may be either a cable televisiondistribution system or a telephone distribution system. The telephoneaccess port allows for the connection of the weather reporting device toa standard telephone network.

A condition reporting device is a weather reporting device, but withincreased capabilities. The condition reporting device further includesa radio radar unit similar to those used by police agencies to detectautomotive vehicular speed. Alternatively, the condition reportingdevice may be equipped with sonar, infrared, or other distance measuringdevices.

FIG. 34 illustrates a block diagram of the condition reporting device(CRD). The CRD includes a processor 1200, memory 1202, a battery 1204, aspeed detector 1206, a digital camera 1208, a radio transceiver 1210, anantenna 1212, a coaxial cable port 1214, and sensors 1216. The memorystores data pertaining to operation of the CRD, including instructionsfor execution by the processor which controls operation of the CRD.Specifically, the processor reads data from the various sensors andtransmits data via the transceiver. In one embodiment the memoryadditionally stores data pertaining to normal expected conditions, suchas normal temperatures or traffic flow, at the CRD location. This datacould take the form of merely the average normal temperature at thesite, but more preferably provides daily or hourly normal temperaturesand hourly traffic pattern information.

With respect to the use of the radar or other similar unit, thecondition reporting device may be mounted on the sides of freewayoverpasses or poles adjacent a vehicular arterial route to determineautomotive vehicular speeds on the freeway or arterial route.Alternatively, the radar unit may be replaced by a sonar unit whereinthe use of sound waves are used in place of radar waves to determinevehicular speed on the freeway or arterial route.

The condition reporting device additionally includes sufficient computermemory to store at least a single digitized video picture. The singlepicture is provided to the condition reporting device through thedigital camera, which may be a charged coupled device (CCD) coupled tothe condition reporting device through one of the auxiliary input ports.The condition reporting device may also obtain data representing thesingle digitized video picture via a direct transmission to thecondition reporting device through the antenna of the conditionreporting device. Thus, photographs in digital format obtained byothers, such as television news helicopters, may transmit a digitalpicture to the condition reporting device for storage.

The radio transceiver unit allows the condition reporting device totransmit information via radio signals both to end-users and to othercondition reporting devices. As illustrated in FIG. 35, first throughfourth condition reporting devices 1220 a-d are located alongside anarterial route 1222. Traveling along the arterial route are automobiles1224 a,b. A home 1226 equipped with a radio receiver 1228 is locatednear the arterial route. Specifically, the home is located most near thefourth condition 1220 d reporting device, and most distant from thefirst condition reporting device 1220 a. The automobiles receiveinformation from the condition reporting devices via radio signals, asdoes the home, and thus end-users in the automobiles and the homereceive up-to-date information regarding conditions along the arterial.

The end-users, however, may not desire information regarding roadconditions from condition reporting devices which are close enough forthe end-users to receive radio transmissions. Accordingly, the conditionreporting devices are two-way daisy-chained together. That is, thesecond condition reporting device receives information broadcast fromthe first condition reporting device and the third condition reportingdevice. The second condition reporting device also transmits theinformation received from the first condition reporting device and thethird condition reporting device in addition to the information specificto the second condition reporting device.

In one embodiment, the transmission of information is accomplished usinga time-interleaf method in which the second condition reporting devicetransmits the information received from the first condition reportingdevice over a first time interval, and transmits the informationspecific to the second condition reporting device over a second timeinterval. In this time-interleaf method each condition reporting devicein the daisy-chain is programmed with the number of other conditionreporting devices in the daisy-chain, the transmission frequency the twoclosest condition reporting devices in the two-way daisy-chain, thetotal number of condition reporting devices in the chain, and theposition of the condition reporting device in the chain.

The condition reporting device uses this information to determine thetime necessary to receive transmissions from the two closest conditionreporting devices in the chain and to determine the total transmissiontime for each cycle of transmission of the condition reporting device.For example, if each condition reporting device is allocated 30 secondfor transmitting their own information, the total cycle transmissiontime is two minutes if the first through fourth condition reportingdevices are two-way daisy chained together.

FIG. 36 illustrates a block diagram of a cable television distributionsystem for the weather reporting and condition reporting devices. Acentral cable television office 1230 provides for transmission oftelevision signals over land line 1231 to various locations 1231 a-v.The various locations may be residences, businesses, or other users ofcable television distribution services. The land lines may be coaxialcable or fiber optic land lines. A central cable television office alsoprovides links 1236 to telephone and computer networks for thetransmission of Internet-related data. Thus, the land lines providestwo-way communication between the central cable television office andthe various locations.

Also attached to the land line are condition reporting devices 1234. Thecondition reporting devices are attached to the land line either throughthe cable access port or the fiber optic access port, depending on thenature of the land line to the condition reporting devices. Thecondition reporting devices transmit digital data corresponding to thedata received by the devices input sensors over the land line to thecentral cable television office. The central cable television officethen transmits digital information received by the condition reportingdevices to the residences in other locations, with each conditionreporting device provided a separate cable television channel.

Thus, in one embodiment condition reporting devices may be located in avariety of geographic locations throughout a cable televisiondistribution area. Receivers of cable television may set their channelsto a channel for a specific condition reporting device and obtainweather, traffic, and video information for a specific location withinthe cable television broadcast area. Moreover, condition reportingdevices located in bars, restaurants, and other venues may transmitvideo pictures of the interior of such establishments as a form ofadvertising for the establishments, as well as for the entertainment oftelevision viewers at home or elsewhere.

The locations of the condition reporting devices are also tracked by acentral computer system. The central computer maintains a database ofthe locations of condition reporting devices. For condition reportingdevices located along roadways such as streets and highways, the centralcomputer system also stores in the database an indication of the road orhighway along which the condition reporting device is located. Further,many organizations, particularly state highway departments, maintaindigital cameras providing roadway information available over the WorldWide Web (WWW or WEB). The central computer system also tracks locationsof these digital cameras, as well as other non-condition reportingdevices.

CRD location data may be used in conjunction with route information(plot trail) stored by the PCD. FIG. 37 illustrates a process for usingthe route information stored by the PCD to obtain information concerningthe availability of condition reporting devices from the centralcomputer system along the route stored by the PCD. In step 1240 arequest for condition reporting device locations is transmitted by thePCD to the central computer system. Any of the communication meansincluded with the PCD may be used to form such transmission, with oneembodiment using cellular telephone communication. Included with therequest for condition reporting device locations is data indicating theroute information maintained by the PCD. The route information includeswaypoint information for waypoints along the route. Road and highwayidentifiers are also transmitted when the route information alsoincludes road or highway identifiers.

In step 1242 the central computer receives the condition report devicerequest from the PCD. In step 1244 the central computer systemdetermines the locations of condition reporting devices along the route.If the route information includes road or highway identifiers, then thecentral computer system identifies condition reporting devices alongsuch roads or highways, and also determines the condition reportingdevices along such roads or highways within the latitude and longitudeconstraints, as indicated by waypoints, of the route. This process isperformed for each road or highway identified in the route informationas being along the route. If the route information does not include roador highway identifiers, then the central computer system determines thelocations of condition reporting devices within one-tenth of a mile ofthe route. The central computer system of course need not be limited toreporting condition reporting device locations within one-tenth of amile of the route. Other distance values may be used, and the PCD mayalso transmit a requested search criteria to the central computer systemfor use by the central computer system.

In step 1246 the central computer system transmits condition reportingdevice locations along the route to a PCD. For each such conditionreporting device, the central computer system also transmits informationidentifying methods of communication with the condition reportingdevices. For example, some condition reporting devices may make dataavailable over computer networks such as the Internet or World Wide Web.Other condition reporting devices may only transmit information viaradio communications within a small area, or may be part of a linkedcondition reporting device system allowing for radio communication overlarger areas.

In step 1248 the PCD receives the locations of reporting devices. Instep 1250 the PCD correlates the condition reporting device locations tothe route information and forms a map display indicating the trail plotand the condition reporting device locations the process then returns.

FIG. 38 illustrates a display of a PCD displaying a trail plot withcondition reporting device locations. As illustrated, the trail plot isindicated by a thick line. The thick line follows a first route 1262until the first route intersects a second route 1260. The plot trailthereafter follows the second route. The locations of conditionreporting devices 1264 a-b are indicated along the route by star symbols(⋆).

Three methods are used by the PCD to obtain condition reporting deviceinformation, a manual method, an automatic hand-off method, and anautomatic sequence method.

FIG. 39 illustrates a process of the manual method. In the manual methodthe user of the PCD slews the cursor over the reported location of thecondition reporting device in step 1270. In step 1272 the user selectsthe condition reporting device identified by the cursor. In step 1274the PCD determines whether the condition reporting device iscommunicated with a via a computer network or via radio transmissions.If the condition reporting device is communicated with via a computernetwork, then the PCD transmits a request to the condition reportingdevice for data over the computer network in step 1275. If the conditionreporting device transmits information via radio communications, thenthe PCD sets its radio receiver to the appropriate frequency forreceiving transmissions from the condition reporting device in step1276. In step 1278 the PCD receives the information from the conditionreporting device. The PCD then formats the data in step 1280 anddisplays the data in step 1282.

FIG. 40 illustrates a PCD display showing information received from thecondition reporting device. The information from condition reportingdevice includes a single digital photo 1284. The information receivedfrom the condition reporting device also includes traffic speedindications 1286 and current weather information, including temperature1288 and wind speed 1289.

FIG. 41 illustrates a process of the automatic hand-off method forobtaining condition reporting device information. The automatic hand-offmethod is similar to the manual method, but the user of the PCD is notrequired to select condition reporting device locations with the cursor.Instead, the PCD maintains a sequential list of condition reportingdevice locations along the route. The sequential list is ordered bycondition reporting device locations along the route such that a firstcondition reporting device expected to be encountered along the route isplaced first in the list, and the last condition reporting deviceexpected to be encountered along the route is placed last in the list.As the PCD travels along the route condition reporting devices areremoved from the list when the PCD comes within a predetermineddistance, one-tenth of a mile in the preferred embodiment, of thecondition reporting device location.

When the user selects COND RPT on the PCD display the PCD determineswhich condition reporting device is currently first on the list. The PCDthen contacts the condition reporting device, as in the manual method,and displays the condition reporting device information, also as in themanual method. Once the PCD comes within the predetermined distance ofthe condition reporting device the PCD removes the condition reportingdevice from the list, and automatically requests information from thenext condition reporting device along the route and displays suchinformation.

Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 41, the process determines an ordered listof CRDs along the route in step 1290. In step 1292, the process causesinformation from the next CRD to be displayed. In step 1294 the processdetermines if the CRD whose information is being displayed is within apredefined distance of the PCD. Once the CRD is within the predefineddistance the process deletes the CRD from the ordered list in step 1296.In step 1298, the process determines if the list is empty. If the listis empty, the process returns. Otherwise, the process displaysinformation from the next CRD in the list to be displayed in step 1292.

FIG. 42 illustrates a process of the automatic sequence method forobtaining condition reporting device information. As in the automatichand-off method, the PCD maintains a sequential list of conditionreporting device locations along the route. The sequential list isordered by condition reporting device locations along the route suchthat a first condition reporting device expected to be encountered alongthe route is placed first in the list, and the last condition reportingdevice expected to be encountered along the route is placed last in thelist. Information from each condition reporting device in the sequentiallist is displayed for a period of time, in one embodiment ten seconds,and then the next condition reporting device in the sequential list isdisplayed. After information from the last condition reporting device inthe sequential list is displayed, the PCD displays information from thecondition reporting device first in the sequential list. As in theautomatic hand-off method, as the PCD travels along the route, conditionreporting devices are removed from the list when the PCD comes within apredetermined distance of the condition reporting device location.

Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 42, in step 1310, the process creates atravel list comprising a sequential list of CRDs expected to beencountered over the route. The process causes data from the first CRDin the list to be displayed in step 1312. The process then determines ifa predefined time period has elapsed in step 1314. Once the predefinedtime period elapses the process determines if the list is empty in step1316. If the list is empty the process returns. If the list is not emptythe process causes display of data from the next CRD in the list in step1317. The process then waits predefined time period in step 1318, Whenthe predefined time period elapses the process determines if the end ofthe sequential list has been reached in step 1320. If the end of thelist has been reached the process causes display of information from thefirst CRD in the list in step 1317. Otherwise, the process causesdisplay of information from the next CRD in the sequential list in step1317.

Thus, in either the automatic hand-off mode or the automatic sequencemode, the user may have a PCD in his automobile and be automaticallyinformed of current road conditions along the expected route. If roadconditions are reported as unpassable due to weather or traffic, thenthe user may appropriately plan to take alternate routes.

The use of the PCD in conjunction with CRDs accordingly provides the PCDuser the capability to receive up-to-date detailed information regardingconditions along the PCD user's route. This allows the PCD user to planuse alternative routes as conditions warrant. Such planning is furtherenhanced by an alternative route (ALT RTE) function of the PCD.

The ALT RTE function of the PCD uses current speed information from CRDsalong the user's route, and alternatives to the user's route, todetermine travel times. FIG. 43 illustrates a PCD display showing auser's route 1300 comprised of multiple segments 1300 a-d. The user'sroute follows a first street 1300 a, a first highway 1300 b, and asecond highway 1300 c. Roads and highways near the users route include asecond street, a third street 1304, and a fourth street 1306. The user'sroute includes a segment A which follows the first street 1300 a in asoutherly direction to the first highway 1300 b, which runs in aeast-west direction. The user's route then has a segment B which followsthe first highway 1300 b in a westerly direction until the first highwayintersects the second highway 1300 c, which runs in a north-southdirection. The user's route then has a segment C which follows thesecond highway 1300 c until the termination of the route at theintersection of the second highway 1300 c and the fourth street 1306.

Alternatively, the user could take a route including a second street1302 which runs in a east-west direction, a third street 1304 which runsin a north-south direction and intersects the second street and thefourth street 1306. The second street is comprised of a segment D fromthe user's start point to the third street, and a segment E from thethird street to the second highway. The third street is similarlycomprised of a segment F and a segment G.

Condition reporting devices 1308 a-j are located at various points alongthe streets and highways. The condition reporting devices providetraffic speed and weather indications through the PCD via methodsdiscussed above. The map information made available to the PCD andstored by the PCD contains distance information. The PCD therefore isable to make use of the traffic speed information and the distanceinformation to determine travel times for the various route and routealternative segments. Real time calculation and display of segmenttravel times accordingly allows the PCD user to accurately determine andestimate travel times to particular destinations over a plurality ofdifferent roads and road segments.

FIG. 47 illustrates a process of determining travel times. In step 1390,the process reads route information stored by the PCD. In step 1392, theprocess determines if the user has provided alternative route segments.If the user has provided alternative route segments the process readsinformation describing the alternative route segments in step 1394.Otherwise, the process determines alternative route segments in step1396. Regardless, if the source of the alternative route segments, theprocess determines travel times for each of the route segments; and theroute as a whole, in step 1398. The process then returns.

FIGS. 48A-H and FIGS. 49A-G illustrate an alternate embodiment of a PCD.The alternate embodiment includes an alphanumeric keypad with specialfunction keys, a display screen, a microphone and speaker, an antenna,and a digital camera. The alphanumeric keypad includes a power button,alphanumeric keys corresponding to those keys generally found on cellphones, and special function keys. The special function keys include aNavigate key, a C-Mail key, and a Phone key. The special purpose keysfurther include a Store key, a Zoom key, and a Clear key, as well as anEnter key and a Home key and a Send, Recall, and an End key. As with thepreviously described version of the PCD, the PCD is equipped with a GPSreceiver system so as to be able to use the global positioning satellitesystem to accurately determine the location of the alternate PCD.

The camera is a digital camera, which includes a sensing housingcontaining a charge coupled device (CCD) or other digital imagingdevice. The image formed by the digital camera is stored on memorycontained within the PCD device, along with a GPS stamp. The GPS stampis placed within the picture image in a manner similar to the placing ofa time or date stamp on a digital image picture. Of course, methods andapparatus such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,402,588, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, may be used.However, in the embodiment described the GPS stamp is placed into theimage by overriding areas of memory with the GPS provided data. The GPSstamp provides latitude and longitude information, and serves as aconvenient way of accurately placing the location of images.

In addition, the use of a camera with the PCD device allows the PCDdevice to serve as a mobile condition reporting device (CRD). The imagetaken using the PCD camera, along with the appropriate GPS stamp, isprovided by the cellular communication capability, included with thedevice, to a central computer storage system. The central computerstorage system then makes the CRD device data available, in the manneras previously described, to those requesting condition reporting devicedata.

In one embodiment, operators of the PCD device with camera can alsoindicate road status information. Road status information may beimportant, for example, in the event that a road is closed. In such anoccurrence, viewers of CRD data might believe that a road is free andclear of traffic, when in fact the road is impassable. Furthermore,images of the roadway may not accurately describe all of the roadconditions, such as ice or high winds, which may also impact roadwayusage. Accordingly, the user has the option of tagging each image with aroadway status, with the possible status being open, closed, or caution.In one embodiment the central computer facility, however, will onlyinclude roadway status information if the person providing the roadwaystatus information supplies a specified security code. This allows foronly authorized personnel to update road status information. Thisprevents users from changing roadway status information so as to affecttraffic patterns in such a manner that they may more freely use roads.

In one embodiment, all images taken using PCDs are automaticallyprovided to the central computer facility. In another embodiment, usersprovide security level information for each image, which may be providedvia default security level, with only images of a certain predefinedsecurity level transmitted to the central facility.

FIG. 44 illustrates a block diagram of a local area transmission systemfor providing multimedia information using GPS navigation systemcoordinates. Data 1330 pertaining to a local geographic area ismaintained by cellular telephone system providers or other entities. Theparticular local geographic locations are based on the locations of cellsites for cellular telephone networks, and the location specific data istransmitted by a cell site 1332 both over a standard radio broadcastsystem using a radio transmitter 1334 and by request to the cell sitevia a telephone access number. This data includes ASCII or other textformats, digital graphical images, including maps, digital photo-basedimages, and audio data.

In the radio broadcast system method of transmitting data, a first radiofrequency is used to inform receivers of the radio broadcast of specificfrequencies to be used to obtain particular types of data. The specificfrequencies continually transmit data pertaining to services andinformation of the type specified for the particular frequency. The dataincludes text and graphics normally including names, addresses, phonenumbers and GPS locational information for providers of the services ofthe type for that frequency. Additionally, digital GPS maps for theparticular cell site broadcast location are also included.

Similarly, each cell site location is provided a specific telephonenumber. Users of cellular telephone-capable devices call the number andare in turn provided a list of telephone numbers for providing dataequivalent to the data provided by the radio broadcast system. Two setsof phone numbers are provided. The first set provides voice audioinformation, and the second set provides information in digital form. Inone embodiment, users of a PCD then direct the PCD device to obtaindigital text, graphical maps, and GPS location information from the cellsite telephone number. This information may then be used by the user ofthe PCD device to determine route information and to obtain data in thesame manner as from other GPS tagged data providers.

FIG. 45 illustrates a method of directing a PCD to obtainrestaurant-related information from the cell site telephone number. Instep 1340 the PCD displays a screen having MIN #, PHN/EMAIL, and RTNADDRS entry fields. The user enters the cell site telephone number inthe PHN U entry field, P or E in the PHN/EMAIL entry field, and eitherthe phone number of the PCD or an e-mail address in the RTN ADDRS entryfield. In step 1342 the user enters information in the PHN #, PHN/EMAIL,and RTN ADDRS entry fields. If the user enters P in the PHN/EMAIL entryfield, then the user should also enter the phone number of the PCD inthe RTN ADDRS entry field. If the user enters E in the PHN/EMAIL entryfield, then the user should enter an e-mail address in the RTN ADDRSentry field.

In step 1344 the user selects the TRNSMT option and the informationentered by the user in step 1342 is transmitted by the PCD to the cellsite telephone number. In step 1346 the cell site computer systemdetermines which information pertains to the cell site telephone number.In step 1348 the cell site computer system determines whether theinformation transmitted by the PCD included a P or an E in the PHN/EMAILfield. In step 1352 the cell site computer system instructs the cellsite to transmit the information pertaining to the cell site telephonenumber to the phone number transmitted by the PCD in the RTN ADDRS fieldif the PHN/EMAIL field contains a P. In step 1350 the cell site computersystem transmits an e-mail message to the e-mail address transmitted bythe PCD in the RTN ADDRS field if the PHN/EMAIL field contains an E.

Each cell site data provider additionally provides traffic and weatherinformation for the cell site. By way of example, a central dataprovider may receive weather and traffic information from weatherreporting devices and condition reporting devices and store that data bythe latitude and longitude location of those devices. This data may bethen transmitted over a particular frequency or made accessible byhaving users call a particular telephone number so that individuals mayobtain accurate and timely weather and traffic information regardingspecific localities.

The PCD also serves as a position monitoring device. To begin theposition monitoring function the user selects the monitor on the PCD.Upon selecting the monitor function, the PCD displays a menu includingINTERROG, AUTO-TIMED, and MOVE options. When the INTERROG function isselected the PCD will display an e-mail entry field allowing input bythe user of an e-mail address. After the e-mail address is entered, thePCD responds to appropriate interrogatories by transmitting its currentposition. An appropriate interrogatory includes the security code activewhen the INTERROG mode was selected and an Internet e-mail address. Uponreceipt of an appropriate interrogatory the PCD will transmit the GPSreceiver determined latitude and longitude of the device to the e-mailaddress.

If the user selects the AUTO-TIMED option the PCD displays a time entryfield and an e-mail address entry field. After entry of the time entryfield and the e-mail address, the PCD will count down the time periodentered by the user, and, upon the completion of the time period,transmit an e-mail to the entered e-mail address indicating the PCDlocation. After transmitting the PCD location to the e-mail address, thePCD will begin counting down the time period previously entered by theuser, and once again transmit the PCD location upon the completion ofthe time period. Thus, for example, if the user enters the time 30minutes into the time field and the e-mail address of abc@def.com, thenevery 30 minutes the PCD will transmit the PCD location to abc@def.com.

When a user selects the MOVE option the PCD displays a distance entryfield and an e-mail address entry field. After entry of the distancefield and the e-mail address field, the PCD transmits an e-mailcontaining the device location to the e-mail address specified in thee-mail field whenever the PCD moves a distance greater than the distanceentered in the distance field. When the PCD transmits an e-mailindicating the device position, the current device position is storedand the PCD waits until the device has moved the distance specified inthe distance field from the current location prior to again transmittingthe PCD location to the e-mail address specified in the e-mail addressfield.

Thus, the PCD can be used to monitor the locations of individualsutilizing PCDs. For example, credit authorization agencies may make useof the location monitoring capability provided by the PCD in determiningthe validity of credit requests. FIG. 46 illustrates a method of creditauthorization using the PCD. In step 1360 an individual makes a requestfor credit. This may be accomplished in a variety of manners, including“swiping” a credit card through a credit card reader at a gas station,supermarket, or a variety of other locations, or merely by providing acredit card to a retail clerk who thereafter requests creditauthorization. The request for credit may be made to a credit cardissuer, or may merely be a request for credit authorization by a creditreporting facility.

In step 1362 the request for credit is transmitted to a creditauthorizer. In step 1364 the credit authorizer determines whether creditauthorization is appropriate in view of the credit authorizer's priorart credit authorization practices. Such prior art practices include theuse of credit limits, past credit usage, and other factors. If thecredit authorizer determines that credit authorization according toprior art practices is not appropriate, then credit authorization isdenied in step 1366. If credit authorization according to prior artpractices is appropriate, then the credit authorizer transmits aninterrogatory to the individual's PCD in step 1368. In step 1370 thecredit authorizer waits a predetermined time for a response from thePCD. In step 1371 the credit authorizer determines if a response fromthe PCD has been received. If a response from the PCD has been received,the credit authorizer determines if the PCD location is consistent withthe request for credit in step 1372. This may be accomplished bydetermining if the PCD is at the location from which credit wasrequested if the reported location is consistent with the request forcredit, then the process grants or authorizes credit in step 1378. Ifthe reported location is not consistent with the request for credit, theprocess denies credit in step 1366. If no response is received from thePCD, the credit authorizer determines if previous PCD reported locationsare consistent with the location from which credit was requested in step1374. For example, the credit authorizer may have received responsesfrom previous requests for position from the PCD, or an e-mail addressof the credit authorizer may have been entered by the individual forAUTO-TIMED or MOVE position updates. If the previous location isconsistent with the request for credit, then the process grants orauthorizes credit in step 1378. If the previous locations is notconsistent with the request for credit, the process denies credit instep 1366.

Additionally, PCDs can be used to monitor automobile locations andthereby discourage automobile theft or aid in the recovery of theautomobile. For example, for an active PCD left in the INTERROG mode,upon discovery of the theft of the PCD or item in which the PCD islocated, the user merely need to interrogate the PCD as to its locationand thereafter be immediately informed as to the device location, thusallowing for ease in locating and returning the device to the properuser.

As another example, the user can leave the active PCD in MOVE mode, withthe user's e-mail address designated as a recipient of the location ofthe PCD device. Thus, whenever the PCD, or object in which the PCD islocated, is moved the user can receive instantaneous notification of themovement of the PCD and any object carrying the PCD. Further, in oneembodiment of the invention, the user may select a SECURITY option fromthe main menu. In the SECURITY option the PCD is automaticallyconfigured in the MOVE mode, and the PCD is also automaticallyconfigured to transmit an e-mail to a user defined address in additionto any other addresses specified in the MOVE mode. The user definedaddress is preferably that of a police agency or security service.Further, in one embodiment of the invention, the PCD additionally placesa telephone call via the PCD's cellular telephonic capabilities to auser defined telephone number. Upon answer by the receiving telephonethe PCD automatically transmits an indication, which may be aprerecorded voice message that the PCD has moved from its priorlocation. In addition, the user defined telephone number may be theuniversal telephone number of the user, which is later herein described.In the event the predefined telephone number is the universal telephonenumber of the user the PCD additionally transmits a passwordcorresponding to security level. The password and security level areselected by the user, and are also later herein described in conjunctionwith the universal telephone number.

In accordance with the present invention, the central computer systemalso maintains information in a database allowing individual users to beeasily located both physically and in terms of their electroniccommunication locations. The central computer system maintains adatabase of individuals and an Internet address linked to eachindividual. The Internet address linked to each individual need not be aunique address, but instead many individuals may make use of a singlecomputer indicated by the Internet address in the Internet addressfield. For example, for many cases the central computer system may bethe computer system identified by the Internet address.

The system also contains a large number of computer systems linked bythe Internet, and which are the computer systems pointed to by theaddress field for the individuals in the Internet address field Each ofthese computers form a home site computer system. The responsibility ofmaintaining the home site computer systems are the responsibility of theindividuals.

The home site computer system maintains electronic contact informationand geographic location of the individual. The electronic contactinformation includes home telephone numbers, office telephone numbers,cellular telephone numbers, fax numbers, and e-mail addresses. Thegeographic location is provided in terms of latitude and longitude,although street addresses or site names can also be provided with thelatitude and longitude.

Also linked to each electronic communication identifier in geographiclocation information is a security level index. In one embodiment, thesecurity level index is a number between one and ten. The individualassigns security level indexes for each item of information. The useralso identifies other individuals who may wish to contact the user, andindicates which security index level each such other individual shouldbe provided. Other individuals who are not identified by the user areprovided a default security level index. When the home site is contactedby another individual, the other individual provides an identifier, suchas the individual's name to the home site. In one embodiment the otherindividual also provides a password to the home site so that the homesite may authenticate the identity of the individual. Based on theidentity of the individual, preferably authenticated, the home sitedetermines the other individual's security level index.

The other individual is thereafter only able to obtain information forthe other individual's security level index value and those values belowthe other individual's security level index. For example, a user'sgeneral office work number may be assigned a security level index often,with the user's direct line phone number provided a security level indexof six. A first other individual with a security index level of sevencan only obtain the user's general office number while a second otherindividual with a security index level of six can also obtain the user'sdirect line phone number.

The user's geographic location is updated through the PCD. As previouslydiscussed, the PCD can be used to provide e-mails indicative of theuser's location in varying manners. When the user's home site computersystem is identified as an e-mail address for such updates, the user'shome site computer system may track the user over time. In oneembodiment of the invention, the user's home site computer system isalways provided a copy of any e-mail position updates provided by thePCD.

The capability to track individuals is further enhanced through the useof condition reporting devices. For example, a particular user isidentified as being at a particular location, other individuals mayrequest via the central computer system the location of conditionreporting devices in that area. If the condition reporting device hasdigital picture capability, then the other individuals may requestinformation from the particular condition reporting device and determineif the user is in fact at the location. Thus, the system of the presentinvention provides a method and system for tracking individuals, and forconfirming the presence of individuals at particular locations.

In another embodiment of the invention, the user's home site computersystem maintains a universal phone number, fax number, and e-mailaddress for the individual. When other individuals try to contact theuser via the general phone number, fax number, or e-mail address thehome site computer system automatically routes the incoming call, fax,or e-mail to the phone number, fax number, or e-mail address currentlyindicated as active for the individual. This routing is done, however,in conjunction with the other individual's security index level. Thus,if the active phone number for the user is the user's cellular telephonenumber, but the other individual does not have a security level indexsufficient to determine the user's cellular telephone number, then thecall to the user by the other individual will be automatically routed tothe phone number with the highest number security level index availableto the other individual. If the telephone number to which the otherindividual has been routed is not currently active for the user, theother individual will be left in a voice mail or other automaticanswering system if available. Thus, users may selectively forward phonecalls, facsimiles, or e-mails depending on requirements of the user.

The home site computer system maintains data indicative of the locationof telephone numbers, fax numbers, and e-mail addresses. As the user'sgeographic location is updated through use of the PCD, the home sitecomputer system automatically maintains a list of active phone numbers,facsimile numbers, and e-mail addresses for the user. Thus, if theuser's geographic location as provided by the PCD indicates that theuser is at the user's office, then the user's office phone numbers aremade active. If the user's geographic location as provided by the PCDindicates that the user is at the user's home, then the user's homephone numbers are made active. If the user is at an undeterminedlocation, then the user's home site computer system identifies theuser's cellular telephone as the active phone. Thus, phone calls,facsimiles, and e-mails may be automatically routed, using callforwarding technology known in the art, to the electronic communicationaccess number of the user without resort to sequentially calling variousphone numbers.

In addition, in order to contact an individual only the universal phonenumber, facsimile number, and e-mail address need be known. Thus, asactual phone numbers and e-mail addresses change due to changes intelephone area codes, zone prefixes, or changes in the locations ofhomes and businesses, individuals need only update the informationmaintained by their home system in order to be able to be contacted bythose desiring to communicate with them via electronic means.

The user's home site computer system also serves as a repository fordata for use with the user's PCD. One purpose in providing such arepository is that the PCD may be unable to store all data requestedfrom a data provider or other parties due to device memory constraints.For example, the user may request a map of a relatively large area and arelatively great amount of detail. Such a map may be too large forstorage in the memory of the PCD. The user could request a subset of thedesired map, if such a request or map is available, and request furthersubsets of the map as desired. Such a method, however, entails repeatedrequests for map information, and is also inconvenient if a single mapsection is repeatedly later used after other map sections are requested.Accordingly, the home site computer system provides a repository forsuch material. Data providers and information suppliers, instead ofdownloading data directly to a PCD in response to a request forinformation by a PCD, instead route data to the user's home sitecomputer system.

In one embodiment, requests from a PCD for data include an indication ofallowable memory space for downloaded data. The allowable memory spacemay be automatically determined by the PCD based on the total devicememory and the memory available at a given time Thus, if a particularPCD can only accommodate additional data of 8 megabytes or less, therequest for information would indicate a maximum download data size of 8megabytes. Alternatively, the allowable memory space may be set by theuser.

After the data provider or other information supplier receives a requestfor information, the data provider or information supplier thentransmits the requested data to the home site computer system, viae-mail or other means described herein, in multiple files, each lessthan the maximum memory size of the PCD. The data provider orinformation supplier determines which information, such as mapinformation is responsive to the request, and prepares individuallyreadable and displayable files, or data packets, less than the allowablememory size. The user may thereafter request the data directly from thehome site computer system, and later reuse the same information at theuser's convenience. In addition, the user is also able to use therequested data using other PCDs, or even other computer systems.

While this invention has been described with reference to illustrativeembodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in anylimiting sense. Various other embodiments of the invention will beapparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to thisdescription. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims willcover any such modifications of the embodiments as fall within the truescope and spirit of the invention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A system, comprising: a first personalcommunications device (PCD) associated with a first user, and a secondPCD associated with a second user, each PCD having a processor and adisplay comprising a touch screen input device, and being configured tooperate as a portable telephone and to send and receive GlobalPositioning System (GPS) encoded location data; a data provider thatcollects map data and other data and tags the other data to the mapdata; one or more condition reporting devices that are configured todetect a road condition at a location and to send traffic speed data toa computer network; the first PCD configured to receive map data fromthe data provider and to show the map on the display and to show theposition of the first PCD as a first icon on the map, the first PCDconfigured to serve as a mobile condition reporting device and to senddetected road condition data to a central computer system; and the firstPCD further configured to receive GPS encoded location data regardingthe second PCD and to show the position of the second PCD as a secondicon on the map; wherein the first PCD display is configured so thatwhen the map is shown on the display, an interface to communicationswith the second user is provided through the touch screen input deviceat touch points on the display; wherein the first PCD display isconfigured to have a sub-menu, and the interface to communications withthe second user can be actuated through touch points in the sub-menu;and wherein each PCD comprises a digital camera configured to apply aGPS location stamp on a digitized image captured by the PCD digitalcamera, and each PCD is configured to select a road condition, whereinthe detected road condition data comprises a digitized image with theGPS location stamp and a tag based on the selected road condition.
 2. Asystem as in claim 1, wherein the first PCD is configured to receivedata about the second user other than GPS encoded data.
 3. A system asin claim 1, wherein the detected road condition comprises traffic speed.4. A system as in claim 3, wherein at least one of the conditionreporting devices is stationary.
 5. A system as in claim 1, wherein thecentral computer system is configured to make the detected roadcondition data available to one or more other PCDs.
 6. A system as inclaim 5, wherein the PCDs are configured to communicate with the centralcomputer system via a cellular telephone communication system, and eachPCD is configured to receive detected road condition data from thecentral computer system, and to use current speed information todetermine travel times to a desired destination along a plurality ofproposed routes.
 7. A system, comprising: a first personalcommunications device (PCD) associated with a first user, and a secondPCD associated with a second user, each PCD having a processor and adisplay comprising a touch screen input device, and being configured tooperate as a portable telephone and to send and receive GlobalPositioning System (GPS) encoded location data; a data provider thatcollects map data and other data and tags the other data to the mapdata; the PCDs being configured to serve as mobile condition reportingdevices configured to send a road condition data to a central computersystem; the first PCD configured to receive map data from the dataprovider and to show the map on the display and to show the position ofthe first PCD as a first icon on the map; and the first PCD furtherconfigured to receive GPS encoded location data regarding the second PCDand to show the position of the second PCD as a second icon on the map;wherein the first PCD display is configured so that when the map isshown on the display, an interface to communications with the seconduser is provided through the touch screen input device at touch pointson the display; wherein the first PCD display is configured to have asub-menu, and the interface to communications with the second user canbe actuated through touch points in the sub-menu; wherein the PCDs areconfigured so that the associated user can select a road status datareflecting the user's observation of a road status, and each PCD isconfigured to send the selected road status data to the central computersystem; and wherein the PCDs each comprise a digital camera configuredto apply a GPS location stamp on a digitized image captured by the PCDdigital camera, wherein the road condition data comprises a digitizedimage with the GPS location stamp and a tag based on the selected roadstatus.
 8. A system as in claim 7, wherein the central computer systemis configured to make the detected road condition data available to oneor more other PCDs.
 9. A system as in claim 1, wherein locations ofinterest are indicated by a marker on the map shown on the display, andthe marker is linked to other data structures.
 10. A system as in claim9, wherein the PCDs are configured so that if the associated userselects the marker through the touch screen input device, the PCDdisplays or makes use of additional data concerning the location ofinterest.
 11. A system as in claim 10, configured so that the additionaldata concerning the location of interest is obtained by the PCD from thedata provider.
 12. A system, comprising: a first personal communicationsdevice (PCD) associated with a first user, and a second PCD associatedwith a second user, each PCD having a processor and a display comprisinga touch screen input device, and being configured to operate as aportable telephone and to send and receive Global Positioning System(GPS) encoded location data; a data provider that collects map data andother data and tags the other data to the map data; the first PCDconfigured to receive map data from the data provider and to show themap on the display and to show the position of the first PCD as a firsticon on the map; the first PCD further configured to receive GPS encodedlocation data regarding the second PCD and to show the position of thesecond PCD as a second icon on the map; wherein the first PCD display isconfigured so that when the map is shown on the display, an interface tocommunications with the second user is provided through the touch screeninput device at touch points on the display; and wherein the first PCDdisplay is configured to have a sub-menu, and the interface tocommunications with the second user can be actuated through touch pointsin the sub-menu; wherein each PCD is configured so that the associateduser can indicate a roadway status and communicate the status to thedata provider; and wherein a first group of one or more users arerecognized by the data provider as authorized personnel, and a secondgroup of users are not recognized by the data provider as authorizedpersonnel, and wherein the data provider is configured to only considercommunications about the roadway status that are received from a user inthe first group of users.
 13. A system as in claim 12, wherein each PCDcomprises a camera, and each PCD can communicate an image tagged withthe roadway status to the data provider.
 14. A method of exchanging GPSencoded and non-GPS encoded information between handheld devices, eachof the handheld devices including at least a processor, a memory, adisplay screen configured to accept touch-screen inputs, a microphone,and a speaker, and being configured to operate as a portable telephoneand to send and receive Global Positioning System (GPS) encoded locationdata, the method comprising: a first one of the handheld devicesreceiving map data from a data provider; the first one of the handhelddevices sending road condition data to a central computer system,comprising capturing a digitized image, applying a GPS location stamp tothe digitized image, and sending the digitized image with the GPSlocation stamp to the central computer system; the first one of thehandheld devices receiving GPS encoded location data regarding a secondone of the handheld devices; the first one of the handheld devicesshowing the map on the display and showing the position of the secondone of the handheld devices as an icon on the map, and simultaneouslyreceiving an input through a touch point on the display; and in responseto the input, the first one of the handheld devices communicating withthe second one of the handheld devices.
 15. A method as in claim 14,wherein the touch point corresponds to a menu shown on the display withthe map and the icon.
 16. A method as in claim 15, wherein the first oneof the handheld devices receives data about the second one of thehandheld devices other than GPS encoded data.
 17. A method as in claim14, wherein the first one of the handheld devices additionally sends atag based on a selected road condition to the central computer systemwith the digitized image.
 18. A method as in claim 17, wherein the firstone of the handheld devices receives a user input to identify theselected road condition.
 19. A method as in claim 18, the first one ofthe handheld devices showing a plurality of possible descriptions fordescribing the road condition, and the user input selects one of theplurality of possible descriptions.
 20. A method as in claim 17, whereinthe first one of the handheld devices sends a security code to thecentral computer system, and the security code identifies whether theuser of the first one of the handheld devices is an authorized person.21. A method as in claim 20 additionally comprising the first one of thehandheld devices displaying a sub-menu, and the touch point on thedisplay is in the sub-menu.
 22. A system, comprising: a first personalcommunications device (PCD) associated with a first user, and a secondPCD associated with a second user, each PCD having a processor and adisplay comprising a touch screen input device, and being configured tooperate as a portable telephone and to send and receive GlobalPositioning System (GPS) encoded location data; a data provider thatcollects map data and other data and tags the other data to the mapdata; the first PCD configured to receive map data from the dataprovider and to show the map on the display and to show the position ofthe first PCD as a first icon on the map; each PCD comprising a digitalcamera configured to apply a GPS location data to a digitized imagecaptured by the PCD digital camera; the first PCD configured to serve asa mobile condition reporting device configured to detect a roadcondition at a location and to send a detected road condition data to acomputer network; and the first PCD being configured to select a roadcondition, wherein the detected road condition data comprises adigitized image with the GPS location data and a tag based on theselected road condition.
 23. A system as in claim 22, wherein the firstPCD is further configured to receive GPS encoded location data regardingthe second PCD and to show the position of the second PCD as a secondicon on the map, and wherein the first PCD display is configured so thatwhen the map is shown on the display, an interface to communicationswith the second user is provided through the touch screen input deviceat touch points on the display.
 24. A system as in claim 23, wherein thefirst PCD display is configured to have a sub-menu, and the interface tocommunications with the second user can be actuated through touch pointsin the sub-menu.
 25. A system as in claim 22, wherein the centralcomputer system is configured to communicate with one or more other PCDsand to make the detected road condition data available to the one ormore other PCDs so that, using current speed information, travel timesto a desired destination along a plurality of proposed routes can bedetermined based on the detected road condition data.
 26. A system as inclaim 22, wherein the central computer system is configured to make thedetected road condition data available to one or more of the other PCDs.27. A system as in claim 26, wherein the central computer system isconfigured to make the detected road condition data available to one ormore of the other PCDs only if it receives a security code from thefirst PCD that identifies the first user as an authorized person.
 28. Asystem as in claim 26, wherein the first PCD display is configured toshow a plurality of road status descriptions and to allow the first userto select one of the plurality of road status descriptions, and the roadstatus data comprises the selected one of the road status descriptions.29. A system, comprising: a plurality of personal communications devices(PCDs), each PCD having a processor and a display comprising a touchscreen input device, and being configured to operate as a portabletelephone and to send and receive Global Positioning System (GPS)encoded location data; a data provider that collects map data and otherdata and tags the other data to the map data; each of the PCDsconfigured to receive map data from the data provider and to show themap on the respective display and to show the position of the PCD as anicon on the map; a first one of the PCDs associated with a first user;the first PCD configured to serve as a mobile condition reporting deviceadapted to send a road condition data to a central computer system; thefirst PCD configured so that the first user can select a road statusdata reflecting the first user's observation of a road status, and thefirst PCD is configured to send the selected road status data to thecentral computer system; and the first PCD comprising a digital cameraconfigured to associate a GPS location data with a digitized imagecaptured by the PCD digital camera, wherein the road condition datacomprises the digitized image with the GPS location data and a tag basedon the selected road status.
 30. A system as in claim 29, wherein thecentral computer system is configured to make the detected roadcondition data available to one or more of the other PCDs.
 31. A systemas in claim 30, wherein the central computer system is configured tomake the detected road condition data available to one or more of theother PCDs only if it receives a security code from the first PCD thatidentifies the first user as an authorized person.
 32. A system as inclaim 31, wherein the first PCD display is configured to show aplurality of road status descriptions and to allow the first user toselect one of the plurality of road status descriptions, and the roadstatus data comprises the selected one of the road status descriptions.33. A system as in claim 30, wherein the first PCD display is configuredto show a plurality of road status descriptions and to allow the firstuser to select one of the plurality of road status descriptions, and theroad status data comprises the selected one of the road statusdescriptions.
 34. A system as in claim 30, wherein each of the PCDs isconfigured so that the associated user can select a road status datareflecting the associated user's observation of a road status, and eachof the PCDs is configured to send the selected road status data to thecentral computer system.
 35. A system as in claim 30, wherein the firstPCD is further configured to receive GPS encoded location data regardinga second one of the PCDs associated with a second user, and to show theposition of the second PCD as a second icon on the map, and wherein thefirst PCD display is configured so that when the map is shown on thedisplay, an interface to communications with the second user is providedthrough the touch screen input device at touch points on the display.36. A system as in claim 35, wherein the first PCD display is configuredto have a sub-menu, and the interface to communications with the seconduser can be actuated through touch points in the sub-menu.
 37. A system,comprising: a plurality of personal communications devices (PCDs), eachPCD having a processor and a display comprising a touch screen inputdevice, and being configured to operate as a portable telephone and tosend and receive Global Positioning System (GPS) encoded location data;a data provider that collects map data and other data and tags the otherdata to the map data; each of the PCDs configured to receive map datafrom the data provider and to show the map on the respective display andto show the position of the PCD as an icon on the map; a first one ofthe PCDs associated with a first user; the first PCD configured to serveas a mobile condition reporting device adapted to send a road conditiondata about a location to a central computer system; the first PCDdisplay configured to show a plurality of road status descriptions andto receive a user input selecting one of the plurality of road statusdescriptions reflecting the first user's observation of a road status, aroad status data comprising the selected one of the road statusdescriptions; wherein the central computer system is configured to makethe detected road condition data available to one or more of the otherPCDs only if the first PCD sends a security code that identifies thefirst user as an authorized person; and wherein the road condition datacomprises the road status data and the GPS encoded location datacorresponding to the location.
 38. A system as in claim 37, wherein thefirst PCD comprises a digital camera configured to associate a GPSlocation data with a digitized image captured by the PCD digital camera,and wherein the road condition data additionally comprises the digitizedimage with the GPS location data.
 39. A system as in claim 37, whereineach of the plurality of PCDs is configured to receive detected roadcondition data from the central computer system, and to use currentspeed information to determine travel times to a desired destinationalong a plurality of proposed routes.
 40. A system as in claim 1,wherein each PCD display is configured to show a plurality of roadcondition descriptions and to allow a user to select one of theplurality of road condition descriptions shown on the PCD display, andthe tag based on the selected road condition comprises the selected oneof the road condition descriptions.
 41. A system as in claim 7, whereineach PCD display is configured to show a plurality of road statusdescriptions and to allow the associated user to select the road statusdata by selecting one of the plurality of road status descriptions shownon the PCD display, the selected road status data comprising theselected one of the plurality of road status descriptions.
 42. A systemas in claim 12, wherein each PCD display is configured to show aplurality of roadway status descriptions and to allow the associateduser to indicate the roadway status by selecting one of the plurality ofroadway status descriptions shown on the PCD display, the indicatedroadway status comprising the selected one of the plurality of roadwaystatus descriptions.
 43. A system as in claim 42, wherein each PCDcomprises a camera, and each PCD can communicate an image tagged withthe indicated roadway status to the data provider.
 44. A method as inclaim 20 additionally comprising a plurality of handheld devicesreceiving, from the central computer system, the road condition datasent to the central computer system by the first one of the handhelddevices only if the security code identifies the user of the first oneof the handheld devices as an authorized person.
 45. A method as inclaim 44, wherein the first one of the handheld devices receives a userinput to identify the selected road condition.
 46. A method as in claim45, wherein the first one of the handheld devices showing a plurality ofpossible descriptions for describing the road condition, and the userinput selects one of the plurality of possible descriptions.